Oscar Tolbert

Tallapoosa Police Department — Tallapoosa, GA

Felonious

End of Watch May 23, 1919

The Vigil Panel 37 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

Policeman Tolbert was shot and killed while observing several people in a store, after it had closed, drinking illegal liquor. When store owner's son discovered him watching him and his friends he fired four shots from a rifle from within the store through the front door. As Policeman Tolbert returned fire, a bullet passed through the door and killed him. The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-GA-DFEF08B3
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Policeman Tolbert served with the Tallapoosa Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Tallapoosa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Tolbert.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Tallapoosa Police Department

Location Tallapoosa, GA

Platform Identity tpd.haralson.ga.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 23, 1919

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Rifle

Offender Sentenced to life

Policeman Oscar Tolbert is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In GA, 548 of 903 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 6.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Tallapoosa Police Department, 4 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Tallapoosa Police Department

of 4 officers

100% Felonious

GA — Statewide

548

of 903 officers

60.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious